Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Mark Dee on August 13, 2021, 08:33:11 pm
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I am in the planning stage of starting, primarily, an exterior cleaning business. I notice that clean frequency for windows seems to be getting longer and longer than it used to. More cleaners now offer 6,8 and even 12 week cleans as a regular service to their customers.
My question is, how dirty are the windows and frames getting in between cleans (in general) now you offer extended call frequency. Do you see call frequency getting even longer or are you at the limit of how long you are prepared to wait between cleans for your customer. This question is aimed mainly at how dirty the windows become between cleans rather than the hit to the yearly vaue of that customer to your business.
Thanks for taking the trouble to answer.
Mark.
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Generally - 8 weeks are not really any dirtier than 4 weekly - but there are many factors like location and time of year
if I were to start again I would go for 6 and 12 weekly service - 4 weeks wfp is like returning to windows cleaned only the day before
I offer 8 weekly as a standard service ( this is where I price it up for 4 weekly and add 50% ) then offer a "discounted" service for 4 weekly which is usually about £2 quid cheaper than an 8 weekly clean - any longer duration is "bespoke" and is double a 4 weekly price ( usually equals a first clean price )
Darran
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Generally - 8 weeks are not really any dirtier than 4 weekly - but there are many factors like location and time of year
if I were to start again I would go for 6 and 12 weekly service - 4 weeks wfp is like returning to windows cleaned only the day before
I offer 8 weekly as a standard service ( this is where I price it up for 4 weekly and add 50% ) then offer a "discounted" service for 4 weekly which is usually about £2 quid cheaper than an 8 weekly clean - any longer duration is "bespoke" and is double a 4 weekly price ( usually equals a first clean price )
Darran
So your standard price is £4 - 4 weekly, £6 - 8 weekly
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A lot of our work is costal and 95% of our work is 4 weekly I think time scale is area related most ask for monthly cleans , our maximum frequency for domestic is 8 weekly we won’t do any longer and most that are 8 weekly you struggle to see through the gkass as it’s covered with salt . Inland places might stay cleaner longer ????
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Generally - 8 weeks are not really any dirtier than 4 weekly - but there are many factors like location and time of year
if I were to start again I would go for 6 and 12 weekly service - 4 weeks wfp is like returning to windows cleaned only the day before
I offer 8 weekly as a standard service ( this is where I price it up for 4 weekly and add 50% ) then offer a "discounted" service for 4 weekly which is usually about £2 quid cheaper than an 8 weekly clean - any longer duration is "bespoke" and is double a 4 weekly price ( usually equals a first clean price )
Darran
So your standard price is £4 - 4 weekly, £6 - 8 weekly
Not even going to pretend I understand that post or where you get £4 and £6 from
Darran
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Generally - 8 weeks are not really any dirtier than 4 weekly - but there are many factors like location and time of year
if I were to start again I would go for 6 and 12 weekly service - 4 weeks wfp is like returning to windows cleaned only the day before
I offer 8 weekly as a standard service ( this is where I price it up for 4 weekly and add 50% ) then offer a "discounted" service for 4 weekly which is usually about £2 quid cheaper than an 8 weekly clean - any longer duration is "bespoke" and is double a 4 weekly price ( usually equals a first clean price )
Darran
So your standard price is £4 - 4 weekly, £6 - 8 weekly
Not even going to pretend I understand that post or where you get £4 and £6 from
Darran
The the 50% add on and £2 discount is confusing him, lets say you price up a 4 weekly at £20 that would make 8 weekly £30 or £28 for 4 weekly, he's taking it as the £2 is 50% of your 4 weekly price which would be £4 and £6.
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Where I work, the frequency of cleans customers opt for seems in most cases to be related to how much they are going to have to pay rather than how dirty they get. If it were down to how dirty they get, then I think the majority would opt for a four weekly clean. It's only when you quote them a price that they seem to consider the 8 weekly option.
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Thx dry - hopefully he understands how i operate now😊
Darran
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So any clean frequency over 12 weeks would be classed as a first clean, the price of which would depend on how hard and long it would be to get them looking right.
I presume a custy who wanted a bi annual clean wouldnt be classed as a regular customer, and would be moved to the "cull" list.
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So any clean frequency over 12 weeks would be classed as a first clean, the price of which would depend on how hard and long it would be to get them looking right.
I presume a custy who wanted a bi annual clean wouldnt be classed as a regular customer, and would be moved to the "cull" list.
Nearly always.
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Depends - if they are a 3 bed semi at (example) £15 then yes
If it's a large country house at (example) £375 then no
The beauty, and aggro of this game is there is no standard operating formula or pricing - we are all independent and "self employed" run and price things as you feel is best for your circumstances
Darran
Darran
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Generally - 8 weeks are not really any dirtier than 4 weekly - but there are many factors like location and time of year
if I were to start again I would go for 6 and 12 weekly service - 4 weeks wfp is like returning to windows cleaned only the day before
I offer 8 weekly as a standard service ( this is where I price it up for 4 weekly and add 50% ) then offer a "discounted" service for 4 weekly which is usually about £2 quid cheaper than an 8 weekly clean - any longer duration is "bespoke" and is double a 4 weekly price ( usually equals a first clean price )
Darran
^^^^
Jesus Christ !!! ;D Talk about gobbeldy gook. They're not really any dirtier, but you add 50 % ? ;D ;D And you do discounted for 4 weekly ;D ;D
NWH just got banned for posting random crap like this.
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So any clean frequency over 12 weeks would be classed as a first clean, the price of which would depend on how hard and long it would be to get them looking right.
I presume a custy who wanted a bi annual clean wouldnt be classed as a regular customer, and would be moved to the "cull" list.
How do you "cull" a non regular customer ? You either cater for them or you don't ?
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So any clean frequency over 12 weeks would be classed as a first clean, the price of which would depend on how hard and long it would be to get them looking right.
I presume a custy who wanted a bi annual clean wouldnt be classed as a regular customer, and would be moved to the "cull" list.
How do you "cull" a non regular customer ? You either cater for them or you don't ?
The custy wants to move from 12 weeks (regular clean) to " can you come just before xmas and back around spring?" I agree you either cater for them or you dont but that must apply to any conditions the customer asks for or condition they dont comply with.
As Smudger kindly pointed out the yearly revenue of that custy is the important thing ie adding 50% for less cleaning frequency to increase the revenue for servicing the account.
Im a newby trying to work stuff out, please excuse my ignorance.
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So any clean frequency over 12 weeks would be classed as a first clean, the price of which would depend on how hard and long it would be to get them looking right.
I presume a custy who wanted a bi annual clean wouldnt be classed as a regular customer, and would be moved to the "cull" list.
How do you "cull" a non regular customer ? You either cater for them or you don't ?
The custy wants to move from 12 weeks (regular clean) to " can you come just before xmas and back around spring?" I agree you either cater for them or you dont but that must apply to any conditions the customer asks for or condition they dont comply with.
As Smudger kindly pointed out the yearly revenue of that custy is the important thing ie adding 50% for less cleaning frequency to increase the revenue for servicing the account.
It makes sense to me and I'm the newby asking the dumb questions :)
What makes sense to you ? And can you explain what you think a "cull list " is ?
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So any clean frequency over 12 weeks would be classed as a first clean, the price of which would depend on how hard and long it would be to get them looking right.
I presume a custy who wanted a bi annual clean wouldnt be classed as a regular customer, and would be moved to the "cull" list.
How do you "cull" a non regular customer ? You either cater for them or you don't ?
The custy wants to move from 12 weeks (regular clean) to " can you come just before xmas and back around spring?" I agree you either cater for them or you dont but that must apply to any conditions the customer asks for or condition they dont comply with.
As Smudger kindly pointed out the yearly revenue of that custy is the important thing ie adding 50% for less cleaning frequency to increase the revenue for servicing the account.
It makes sense to me and I'm the newby asking the dumb questions :)
What makes sense to you ? And can you explain what you think a "cull list " is ?
As you can see I edited my original post, unfortunately not before you read it. However I will reply to you question
"It makes sense to me" refers to why Smudger adds 50% to the price of an 8 week call frequency even though the windows arent noticably dirtier. If he reduces the call frequency without increasing the price then the annual revenue from servicing that customer is reduced. By increasing the price although the revenue is still reduced the return on the time spent servicing the customer actually improves, and why not, as long as the customer is happy with the arrangement. The annual fixed costs of running his business havent changed and unless he finds mmore customers he is still worse off.
From your replies I got the impression that you didnt understand that bit and felt that a surcharge on their previous price is somehow unfair.
A "cull" list is the list a customer who is ready to be replaced with better work goes onto and when the time comes refine your work. Is that wrong?
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So any clean frequency over 12 weeks would be classed as a first clean, the price of which would depend on how hard and long it would be to get them looking right.
I presume a custy who wanted a bi annual clean wouldnt be classed as a regular customer, and would be moved to the "cull" list.
How do you "cull" a non regular customer ? You either cater for them or you don't ?
The custy wants to move from 12 weeks (regular clean) to " can you come just before xmas and back around spring?" I agree you either cater for them or you dont but that must apply to any conditions the customer asks for or condition they dont comply with.
As Smudger kindly pointed out the yearly revenue of that custy is the important thing ie adding 50% for less cleaning frequency to increase the revenue for servicing the account.
It makes sense to me and I'm the newby asking the dumb questions :)
What makes sense to you ? And can you explain what you think a "cull list " is ?
As you can see I edited my original post, unfortunately not before you read it. However I will reply to you question
"It makes sense to me" refers to why Smudger adds 50% to the price of an 8 week call frequency even though the windows arent noticably dirtier. If he reduces the call frequency without increasing the price then the annual revenue from servicing that customer is reduced. By increasing the price although the revenue is still reduced the return on the time spent servicing the customer actually improves, and why not, as long as the customer is happy with the arrangement. The annual fixed costs of running his business havent changed and unless he finds mmore customers he is still worse off.
From your replies I got the impression that you didnt understand that bit and felt that a surcharge on their previous price is somehow unfair.
A "cull" list is the list a customer who is ready to be replaced with better work goes onto and when the time comes refine your work. Is that wrong?
Your original OP asks this question:
My question is, how dirty are the windows and frames getting in between cleans (in general) now you offer extended call frequency. Do you see call frequency getting even longer or are you at the limit of how long you are prepared to wait between cleans for your customer. This question is aimed mainly at how dirty the windows become between cleans rather than the hit to the yearly vaue of that customer to your business.
Smudger told you ..........................
Generally - 8 weeks are not really any dirtier than 4 weekly
Now you say:
"It makes sense to me" refers to why Smudger adds 50% to the price of an 8 week call frequency even though the windows arent noticably dirtier. If he reduces the call frequency without increasing the price then the annual revenue from servicing that customer is reduced.
So you've give up on the quest to find out if the windows are dirtier or not ?
Depending upon how you operate then a 12 weekly clean may not happen, even an 8 weekly clean may not happen. I fully understand why prices are different for different frequencies. It would have to be a substantial job for someone to get a 12 week frequency i would imagine.
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I offer 8 weekly as a standard service ( this is where I price it up for 4 weekly and add 50% ) then offer a "discounted" service for 4 weekly which is usually about £2 quid cheaper than an 8 weekly clean - any longer duration is "bespoke" and is double a 4 weekly price ( usually equals a first clean price )
And i'm just loving the math here, lets have some fun:
4 weekly £10 and add 50% for 8 weekly =£15.
Then, offer a "discounted " service for 4 weekly @ £2 cheaper than the 8 weekly clean ;D ;D
£2 cheaper than £15 = £13.
;D ;D ;D
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So any clean frequency over 12 weeks would be classed as a first clean, the price of which would depend on how hard and long it would be to get them looking right.
I presume a custy who wanted a bi annual clean wouldnt be classed as a regular customer, and would be moved to the "cull" list.
How do you "cull" a non regular customer ? You either cater for them or you don't ?
The custy wants to move from 12 weeks (regular clean) to " can you come just before xmas and back around spring?" I agree you either cater for them or you dont but that must apply to any conditions the customer asks for or condition they dont comply with.
As Smudger kindly pointed out the yearly revenue of that custy is the important thing ie adding 50% for less cleaning frequency to increase the revenue for servicing the account.
It makes sense to me and I'm the newby asking the dumb questions :)
What makes sense to you ? And can you explain what you think a "cull list " is ?
As you can see I edited my original post, unfortunately not before you read it. However I will reply to you question
"It makes sense to me" refers to why Smudger adds 50% to the price of an 8 week call frequency even though the windows arent noticably dirtier. If he reduces the call frequency without increasing the price then the annual revenue from servicing that customer is reduced. By increasing the price although the revenue is still reduced the return on the time spent servicing the customer actually improves, and why not, as long as the customer is happy with the arrangement. The annual fixed costs of running his business havent changed and unless he finds mmore customers he is still worse off.
From your replies I got the impression that you didnt understand that bit and felt that a surcharge on their previous price is somehow unfair.
A "cull" list is the list a customer who is ready to be replaced with better work goes onto and when the time comes refine your work. Is that wrong?
Your original OP asks this question:
My question is, how dirty are the windows and frames getting in between cleans (in general) now you offer extended call frequency. Do you see call frequency getting even longer or are you at the limit of how long you are prepared to wait between cleans for your customer. This question is aimed mainly at how dirty the windows become between cleans rather than the hit to the yearly vaue of that customer to your business.
Smudger told you ..........................
Generally - 8 weeks are not really any dirtier than 4 weekly
Now you say:
"It makes sense to me" refers to why Smudger adds 50% to the price of an 8 week call frequency even though the windows arent noticably dirtier. If he reduces the call frequency without increasing the price then the annual revenue from servicing that customer is reduced.
So you've give up on the quest to find out if the windows are dirtier or not ?
Depending upon how you operate then a 12 weekly clean may not happen, even an 8 weekly clean may not happen. I fully understand why prices are different for different frequencies. It would have to be a substantial job for someone to get a 12 week frequency i would imagine.
I havent given up on trying to find out if the windows are dirtier or not, but the forum is quiet and replies are relatively scarce.
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I havent given up on trying to find out if the windows are dirtier or not, but the forum is quiet and replies are relatively scarce.
Mine are definatley dirtier after 8 weeks compared to 4 weeks. How are your own Mark ?
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I havent given up on trying to find out if the windows are dirtier or not, but the forum is quiet and replies are relatively scarce.
Mine are definatley dirtier after 8 weeks compared to 4 weeks. How are your own Mark ?
I dont have a window cleaner, the windows look ok to me they arent covered in seagull sh*t and I can see through em ok. I live on my own, if I was still married they would be cleaned regularly. They are not dirty enough for me to think I better get em cleaned, Im more concerned about the weeds coming through the block paving at the front and back of the house, I got em cleaned last year but the weeds and stuff are back again and the state of the weeds make me look like a scruffy *****y compared to my more house proud neighbours. Come to think of it, I have a cleaner comes once a fortnight to clean inside I wonder if she might have been cleaning the windows occasionally and just included it in her hourly charge. She definately hoovers and mops up and all the crumbs and stuff have gone after shes been.
Oh and Ive lived here for 2 years and not 1 canvasser has knocked looking for work. I see window cleaner vans driving about but I never see them cleaning anything, they seem as though they are on their way somewhere but never in a rush.
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Weather conditions,time of year,location all play a part...some of my 4 weekly work can be fairly dirty after 4 weeks and some of my 8 weekly work is almost like a first clean due the amount of large trees around some properties....
I offer 4/8 weekly for most work but also do 6/12 weekly,bi annual and annual cleans too.....
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I offer 8 weekly as a standard service ( this is where I price it up for 4 weekly and add 50% ) then offer a "discounted" service for 4 weekly which is usually about £2 quid cheaper than an 8 weekly clean - any longer duration is "bespoke" and is double a 4 weekly price ( usually equals a first clean price )
And i'm just loving the math here, lets have some fun:
4 weekly £10 and add 50% for 8 weekly =£15.
Then, offer a "discounted " service for 4 weekly @ £2 cheaper than the 8 weekly clean ;D ;D
£2 cheaper than £15 = £13.
;D ;D ;D
Correct - this way I improve my prices ;D
I'd rather have 8 weekly as people are more happy to pay the higher price and longer interval - I fit more more 8 weekly cleans into the rounds - ergo hourly rate is higher ;D
i've just found that a good percentage of 4 weekly used to come out with "its not been 4 weeks already - windows are still clean"
and rather than justify a higher price for 8 weeks - thats now the standard price - however if you(the customer) would like it more often ie.. 4 weeks then I'll give you a little bit of a discount
no one feels hard done by when paying the higher rate - I'm also comfortable to pitch this way rather than argue its x amount more to clean 8 weekly
Darran
Darran
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I clean monthly, but mainly as it suits me as leaves a few days at the end of the month free for pressure washing/softwashing.
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we offer 4 weekly and 8 weekly
4 weekly clients like their windows to stay clean, rather than wait until they need a clean
we charge i think 40% more for 8 weekly
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We just keep it simple.
Calendar Monthly or Calendar 2 Monthly.
It's much easier to synchronise the frequencies and areas.
It fits in with the way most people get paid their salary.
We ask them which date in the month they prefer to pay to encourage them to set up a regular payment.
Otherwise leave a BACS leaflet.